Employee Standby Travel Line

[sstaurus]

Porter is such a joy to book on. Same with WJ. Too bad it can't be that easy with AC... I always avoid AC when I can for this reason, which is a shame. I'm sure eventually they'll get an online booking deal going on...

[pelmet]

Nov 04/2014

Hold times seem to be less these days.

Had an interesting one tonight. Had to make sure I was on a flight to NYC so I paid for a Flex ticket. About 300 dollars. Then discovered that I had to go on an earlier flight. The site says a 200 dollar penalty plus the difference in ticket price(of course no lowering allowed).

So I called up and the agent stated the same. OK I said, what is the price for the earlier flight? 1300 dollars says the agent. Really, I said. I am on your website right now and it says 333 dollars. After being put on hold for a while, she agreed and I got my new flight for a 233 dollar extra fee. Plus there will be a 60 fee for my two suitcases.

So I will stick to the normal Zed fares. No baggage fees on those as well. Plus I still get occasional upgrades on the EMB for weight and balance reasons.

[FL020]

1o minutes after 0900 est....Hold time 3 hrs 15 mins. Guess I wont be on the 10 am yvr.
Any progress on this system??

[altiplano]

Pretty tough day to call on... Have you seen the weather in YYZ and the pressure it must be putting on the system?

[pelmet]

I made a couple of listings a few weeks ago and they answered right away. I guess they listened to my complaining. As a Zed fare flyer, I appreciate the quick answer.

[CBcloud9]

This call-in system is the biggest farce I have ever experienced when trying to travel, and that is saying something. Busy signal all day?!
What is stopping AC from making standby passengers list online and then providing their ID at the check-in gates?

Question: Do AC tier 2 carriers like SKY, GGN, and Jazz have to call in to the center as well? Is the STBY web bookings only available for mainline employees?

[skkfdk]

Jazz employees have access to the web bookings. Unaware of other Express employees.

[I_Heart_Seaplanes]

I was pleasantly surprised when I used AC last week to get to YYZ. In all I had to call 4 times to change flights and never waited on hold for more than 20mins. I assumed that adoption of MyIDTravel had eased the pressure on the call centre.

[JoeyBarton]

Weird, AC is not on my IDTravel....

[ahramin]

Weird, AC is not on my IDTravel....

That's strange. Why is it then that every time you call into the employee standby line it keeps telling you AC has joined myIDTravel?

[JoeyBarton]

I just doublechecked, and it is not, definately not on myidtravel yet.

[ahramin]

I'm guessing what you are saying is that while AC employees can book on myIDTravel, AC itself isn't on there. Probably on the way.

[BE10Driver]

Does anyone have any info from AC interline department as to when AC will be up and running on myIDtravel? In other words, when will we be able to book AC as non-AC employees via myidtravel?

[Winjeel]

I just tried signing in to myidtravel.com using my AC employee number and password with no success. I tried registering but that didn't work. Anyone else had problems?

[ahramin]

Try HR Connex 1-855-855-0785 or hr.rh@aircanada.ca

[Winjeel]

Thanks. I am in Australia at the moment so I sent HR an email yesterday. Just an automated reply so far.

[JestWet]

There is nothing reciprocal about the AC reciprocal jumpseat.

I'm sure if I kept a tab I'd find that I have wasted weeks of my life listening to busy signals, waiting on hold, getting disconnected, redialing, etc. Then, if by some miracle, I do manage to get myself listed, I've been turned away at the counter countless times because the flight already had 1 jumpseater on board - even though the flight is leaving half empty. Most pilots I know don't even bother with it any more.

I'm sure someone will sharply point out that it is a free airline ticket and I should be happy with what I get. I don't disagree with this - to some extent. The issue is that this is supposed to be a RECIPROCAL agreement. A friend of mine at AC was on a commuting AC flight when it went mechanical during pushback. He picked up the phone, called WJ and was listed on the next flight that departed 15 minutes later. There is no way that a WJ pilot could do this on AC - not unless he had 4 hours to kill between flights.

Also, the one jumpseat rule? I've operated WJ flights where we have had more reciprocal pilots on board than we did paying passengers. I've also seen WJ employees take the actual flight deck jumpseat just so it could free up a seat in the back to squeeze on one more reciprocal pilot.

Sure, we have the benefit of using the reciprocal JS to access AC's overseas routes (although I doubt that many do) but I still think that AC is getting the better end of the agreement. The AC "reciprocal" jumpseat is almost useless for a commuter. I have many friends at AC who will flat-out tell you that they could not live where they live and make the commute work if not for WJ and the reciprocal jumpseat. There is no limit to the amount of seats, and when they call, they get through immediately (or at worst they get a call-back in 10 minutes).

I certainly don't want to see the agreement go away but when the level of service deteriorates to the point where you can't even get through without a busy signal, or spending 3 hours with a phone glued to your ear, maybe it's time to re-evaluate the relationship.

Believe me, the lack of reciprocity is not going unnoticed by WestJet. Don't be surprised if you see things change with regards to the AC/WJ reciprocal jumpseat agreement.

[AllClutch]

Jestwet is absolutely correct.
I believe the whole J/S issue is due to be revisited. There are bush companies that no longer offer scheduled service on the Recip lists who bring nothing to the table and treated the same as a Westjet employee.
I think we need to find a better system for accommodating Porter and Westjet ect. pilots and facilitating their travel. I know my commute would be very difficult without Westjet and they are always a pleasure to book on.
I think those working for companies that fall into the farce category of reciprocity would be best served to keep their mouths shut lest someone take notice of how little they contribute to the program.

[Splash]

There is nothing reciprocal about the AC reciprocal jumpseat.

I'm sure if I kept a tab I'd find that I have wasted weeks of my life listening to busy signals, waiting on hold, getting disconnected, redialing, etc. Then, if by some miracle, I do manage to get myself listed, I've been turned away at the counter countless times because the flight already had 1 jumpseater on board - even though the flight is leaving half empty. Most pilots I know don't even bother with it any more.

I'm sure someone will sharply point out that it is a free airline ticket and I should be happy with what I get. I don't disagree with this - to some extent. The issue is that this is supposed to be a RECIPROCAL agreement. A friend of mine at AC was on a commuting AC flight when it went mechanical during pushback. He picked up the phone, called WJ and was listed on the next flight that departed 15 minutes later. There is no way that a WJ pilot could do this on AC - not unless he had 4 hours to kill between flights.

Also, the one jumpseat rule? I've operated WJ flights where we have had more reciprocal pilots on board than we did paying passengers. I've also seen WJ employees take the actual flight deck jumpseat just so it could free up a seat in the back to squeeze on one more reciprocal pilot.

Sure, we have the benefit of using the reciprocal JS to access AC's overseas routes (although I doubt that many do) but I still think that AC is getting the better end of the agreement. The AC "reciprocal" jumpseat is almost useless for a commuter. I have many friends at AC who will flat-out tell you that they could not live where they live and make the commute work if not for WJ and the reciprocal jumpseat. There is no limit to the amount of seats, and when they call, they get through immediately (or at worst they get a call-back in 10 minutes).

I certainly don't want to see the agreement go away but when the level of service deteriorates to the point where you can't even get through without a busy signal, or spending 3 hours with a phone glued to your ear, maybe it's time to re-evaluate the relationship.

Believe me, the lack of reciprocity is not going unnoticed by WestJet. Don't be surprised if you see things change with regards to the AC/WJ reciprocal jumpseat agreement.

I would like to offer a solution that WestJet pilots could pass onto the powers-that-be. Currently Air Canada uses a web based internet portal called MyIDtravel that was developed by Lufthansa for interline staff pass and jumpseat travel. It's a wonderful system that allows employees to list and ticket in minutes online. To date,Air Canada is participating with about 30 airlines utilizing the portal,with more existing agreements transitioning to the portal,which Air Canada employees access through their travel website profile. I'll to a step further and also suggest that it should be a full agreement for all employees from both airlines. In my view it would be a win-win for everyone. To give you an idea how versatile the system is,you can refund tickets and also relist using an existing ticket for different flights/dates on the same routing.

[3down&loct]

AC pilots who JS on WJ could possibly start asking the powers that be to start making some changes. Would hate to see WJ start putting restrictions on you. We need to help each other and it should be equally fair.

[JestWet]

Thanks for the input Splash. WestJet has been a part of myIDtravel for several years now. Unfortunately, AC is not on our list for ID travel nor does it offer any option to list for reciprocal jumpseats on any carrier. I like your way of thinking though.

[DH772]

AC pilots who JS on WJ could possibly start asking the powers that be to start making some changes. Would hate to see WJ start putting restrictions on you. We need to help each other and it should be equally fair.

Sure, and while we're on the discussion of "FAIR"...
AC might as well limit the reciprocal jumpseat travels to that of the WJ network no? Certainty is not fair that an AC employee can only get somewhere in North America (mainly) but an WJ employee can get almost ANYWHERE in the world on AC reciprocal program.

As you mentioned, it should be equally fair right?

Give you head a shake man! Sitting on here whining because your "near" free travel to anywhere in the world isn't as efficient as it could be.

And to the person who mentioned booking a WJ jumpseat ticket and getting on a flight 15 minutes later its BS. It can take up to an hour getting through to WJ call center as well sometimes, plus there is no web checkin (which by the way AC does offers!).

[JestWet]

And the award for most ignorant post on the internet goes to...

So, what you're saying is that because it is possible to take an Air Canada jumpseat to say, Tel Aviv, then it is acceptable to expect pilots to spend anywhere from 3 hours to 3 days trying to get through to book a jumpseat? WestJet has codeshare agreements in place with almost every major airline on the planet and accompanying jumpseat agreements as well. We certainly don't depend on a free AC jumpseat when we want to go on holidays. Like I said, not many people that I know of use the reciprocal JS to travel the globe. Most people travelling for leisure tend to travel with their families. In my experience, the reciprocal JS is used mainly by commuters and, when travelling within Canada, WJ does not treat its reciprocal jumpseaters any differently than it does its fare-paying guests.

I don't see anyone who is "sitting on here whining" as you put it - It's a discussion. Fine, let's cancel the AC/WJ reciprocal jumpseat agreement. Like I said, most WJ pilots I know don't even bother with it anymore. The same can not be said for many AC pilots who rely on us to get to work.

If you really see it as unfair, then let's limit the JS travel to within North America. I am quite sure that no one would have any issue with that. The point is, no one should have to spend half a day listening to busy signals, redialing, and waiting on hold in this day & age. It is for this reason that the AC jumpseat agreement is somewhat one-sided and almost unuseable where as the jumpseats of other airlines, on the other hand, are easily accessible to AC pilots. That is the point of this dialogue, nothing else.

By the way, I was the one who mentioned a person booking a WJ jumpseat and then getting on 15 minutes later and it is not, as you so beautifully put it, BS. I witnessed it myself and the pilot was very grateful as he would not have made it to work otherwise.

Also, WestJet does indeed have web check-in. I'm not sure where you got your information from. This is 2015 - the only airline left in the world that thinks it's acceptable to have someone wait on hold listening to advertisements for 3 hours is, well, Air Canada.

Thank you for your mature & productive input to this open discussion. Instead of trying to work together to find a collaborative solution that works for everyone you offer such insightful wisdom as "give your head a shake man".

[DH772]

1. yes, you are whining. You want change? Let me ask you, what are you going to change by complaining on a forum? Go talk to your association. Tell them your concerns. Have them bring it up with an ACPA representative. Have them call the person in charge of the reciprocal jumpseat at AC. Posting on here won't likely change anything. Call up your AC friends. Have them bring it up to their members.

If you want to initiate change, then come on here and make a post to do as you said "initiate change", ask questions of who to contact, get a group going. Coming on here and telling a sob story is NOT working together.

2. You missed my point completely! My point wasn't saying the network system is unfair and should change. My point was 1 system offers Pro's that the other system does not.

3. I have MANY friends at different 704/705 carriers that travel the world with AC program constantly. Most are commuters yes but many do use it for their own personal travel. Most of them being employees working at small operations that don't have any beneficial travel privileges.

4. I have used both systems to commute in the past. Both have pros and cons. AC offers more flights and more options. WJ is easier and more reliable to get a seat. HOWEVER, I have never spent more than 1.5 hour of the phone EVER with either companies! Most people will book their ticket the day before. If you plan ahead and give yourself a day or two, to find the best time to book your ticket with AC/WJ then its a non event. Again, I used it for 2 years and never had major issues.
The busy signal. Can be beat as well!

5. Now it's been a while but if I recall (again it may be wrong now or different) but doesn't WJ charge a small service charge ontop of the taxes/fees?

6. Sorry, when I used WJ 2-3 years ago for jumpseat they did not have a web check in. They required you to manually check in and see an agent before proceeding past security. I retract that statement.

Disagree with me all you want. But in 3 pages of posts, has anyone even bother to ask for a number of someone to contact? an email? a name?

[ahramin]

JestWet reciprocal jumpseaters cannot check in online or at the kiosk with Westjet. You have to wait in line with the "too stupid to check in online" crowd, often up to 30 minutes.

Also in your previous post you mentioned that you get denied if there is a jumpseater ahead of you. The only aircraft AC has that doesn't have at least 2 jumpseats is the Embraer. Everything else would require 2 people ahead of you. I jumpseat a lot and it's never happened to me.

And as DH772 says, Westjet is the only company I have ever heard of that charges a fee for processing reciprocal jumpseat tickets.